7 Remedies for Dry Feet
We’ve found that most remedies for dry feet fall into one of two buckets:
- They remove dead skin
- They moisturize the feet
You need both to actually fix the issue and prevent it from coming back. And you have to use them in the right order. Even the most powerful hydrating balm can’t work through years of buildup on the bottoms of your feet.
We’ll walk you through the dry feet remedies that actually work. The best way to put dry foot skin in the past is by removing it with an electric foot file and then following up with a deeply nourishing and hydrating balm. You can find both of these solutions here at Nuvé. Learn more!
What Causes Dry, Cracked Feet?
The skin on your heels is thicker than anywhere else on your body because it takes a beating, day after day. Standing for long stretches, walking miles, and oftentimes, doing so in shoes that were made for style rather than comfort. All of this puts pressure on the heel pad.1
Then, to make matters worse, hot showers and harsh, fragranced soaps strip natural oils from the feet.2 Eventually, the skin loses its elasticity and begins splitting - which is where those cracks come from.
Some people have medical conditions that amplify the daily wear and tear. Eczema, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and diabetes all get in the way of your skin holding onto moisture and repairing itself.1
The problem is, it’s not as simple as just rubbing lotion on your feet before bed. You have to remove the layers of buildup first, then moisturize the fresh skin underneath. That’s the key takeaway from our list of effective dry feet remedies.
7 Proven Remedies for Dry Feet
We want to be very clear in saying not all of these dry feet remedies are worth trying. You really only need to implement a few into your self-care routine. But we did want to make sure you were aware of all the options you have at your fingertips.
1. A Foot File (#1 Choice)
The best foot file for cracked heels and dry skin can make a world of difference in the state of your feet. It shaves down thick, hardened skin, paving the way for moisture to actually reach the healthy skin underneath.
But manual foot files aren’t a good solution. They introduce too much room for user error because the line between using enough pressure to remove buildup and harming the delicate skin is very fine. That’s why we recommend an electric tool.
The Nuvé Silk 3 Pro takes the guesswork out of caring for your feet with two roller heads - fine for dryness, coarse for stubborn calluses. It spins at 2,000 RPM to slough away even the toughest buildup, without causing more harm than good.
It’s natural to be skeptical. But 99% of customers who used the Silk 3 Pro were able to remove dry, cracked skin and tough calluses in mere minutes, while 96% said it was more effective AND easier to use than anything else they’d tried before.
It has a 4.9/5 star rating across thousands of reviews, and it’s backed by a satisfaction guarantee so you can try it yourself and see how it compares to other remedies for dry feet.
2. Pumice Stones / Foot Scrubs
People who haven’t tried anything before often turn to pumice stones first. It’s what your grandma would have used to exfoliate her feet, and it’s what she would recommend.
Don’t get us wrong, a pumice stone can work for light buildup. You soak your feet first and then buff away dead skin lingering on the surface of your feet. Foot scrubs work pretty similarly. They have salt or sugar crystals for an abrasive effect. Plus, the oils in them can soften as you scrub!
But both of these remedies for dry feet fall short as far as depth is concerned. Neither can remove thick callus layers very well. Pumice stones in particular are notorious for wearing down before the callus does. We talk about this in our foot file vs pumice stone comparison.
3. Foot Creams / Balms
Removing the dead skin is step one. Then you need to rehydrate the feet to keep them supple and smooth, so dry skin doesn’t come back. We recommend following up a tool like the Nuvé Silk 3 Pro with the Nuvé Hydracare Balm. It’s loaded with good stuff like:
- Olive oil
- Grape seed oil
- Beeswax
- And more!
The balm penetrates deep into the skin for a wave of hydration, while repairing dry, cracked skin. It’s super easy to use without getting your hands dirty since it comes in a stick.
Looking for something more powerful? Urea-based creams (10-25% concentration) are the dermatologist standard for cracked heels.2 They soften hardened tissue while sucking water into the deeper layers of the skin for intense hydration.3
Timing is everything. Apply these types of products after exfoliating when there’s no dead skin on the foot, so the active ingredients can actually get where they’re needed.
4. Foot Masks / Peels
These are some of the most popular home remedies for dry feet - chemical foot peels featuring glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acids. They dissolve the bonds keeping dead skin cells clinging to your feet.
It’s basically a bootie-style mask that you wear for 30-60 minutes. Then, the skin sheds on its own over the next few days. Results are impressive, albeit slow and unpredictable. It can be frustrating dealing with dead skin coming off randomly. You’ll be picking up pieces out of your bed and off the floor for up to a week!
5. Moisturizing Socks
Perhaps the simplest of dry feet remedies - apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to clean, exfoliated heels and then pull on cotton socks.
Do this right before bed and let your feet soak up the moisture while you sleep, as the socks create a seal so moisture can’t escape. It has nowhere to go but deeper into your skin.2
6. DIY Essential Oil and Butter Blends
You can create your own DIY home remedies for dry feet if you have essential oils and other skincare products on hand already. We recommend shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. All work similarly to petroleum jelly, slowing the rate at which your feet lose moisture.
7. Liquid Bandages
A liquid bandage works kind of like glue, sealing the fissure and protecting it while the skin underneath heals. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends it for deep heel cracks, because it holds the edges together and minimizes that sharp sting with every step.2
Preventing Dry Feet in the First Place
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Once you’ve implemented the right dry feet remedies and gotten your feet back to a healthy state, it’s important to keep at it! You don’t want dry skin to return.
This is as simple as using the Nuvé Silk 3 Pro with the fine roller, once every few weeks, for 5 minutes per foot. Follow up each session with the Hydracare Balm to seal in moisture.
Try to cut back on long, hot showers while you’re at it, and consider whether your soap is causing more harm than good. Other than that, just make sure you’re supporting your feet with the right footwear.
When is it Time to Get Professional Help?
Even the best pedicure tools can only do so much. It’s time to see a dermatologist or podiatrist if your heels bleed, look infected (redness, warmth, swelling, discharge), or won’t close after two weeks of consistent care.1
Parting Thoughts on Dry Feet Remedies
Every one of these home remedies for dry feet works best when paired with at least 1-2 others. Exfoliate, moisturize, and protect. That’s the three-step process to putting dry skin in the past. You don’t have to keep shelling out at the salon to keep your feet in good shape. You just need Nuvé and 5-10 minutes of spare time.
Related Resources
Do calluses go away? | Home remedies for calluses | How to get rid of calluses on feet
References
- Cleveland Clinic. "Cracked Heels? Here's How To Heal Your Feet." Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. Cleveland Clinic
- American Academy of Dermatology. "How to care for dry, cracked heels." AAD
- Piquero-Casals J, et al. "Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties." Dermatology and Therapy. 2021;11(6):1905-1915. PubMed